“Senior Jiang, is there something on my face?”
Jiang Chi hadn’t snapped out of his daze even on their way to school when suddenly, a small head leaned in, round black eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
His gaze lingered on those cherry-red, moist lips for a moment, and suddenly the fragmented, hazy memories in the depths of his mind became crystal clear.
The boy’s Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed. That soft touch, that nimble tongue, that intense suction…
Just the mere thought made his lower body tighten abruptly!
“N-no, nothing,” Jiang Chi stammered, hurriedly turning his head away, not daring to meet her gaze.
Jiang Chi wanted to slap himself!!
Just yesterday he’d been adamant about not crossing certain lines, yet last night he…
Qingchan was still underage!!
If Qingchan knew the thoughts he was having about her…
What kind of monster was he?!
Ji Qingchan did notice Jiang Chi’s unusual behavior today, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly had changed.
She just had a vague sense that Jiang Chi wasn’t acting normal-sometimes stealing glances at her and swallowing hard, other times avoiding eye contact.
The journey continued as usual until they reached the school gate, where Jiang Chi suggested “walking Ji Qingchan to her classroom.”
Wanqing Yongxing School had three grades (10th-12th), each with their own dedicated building.
Yet until now, Jiang Chi only knew Qingchan was a 10th grader-he had no idea which class.
As he said, he wanted to know more about Ji Qingchan.
“Senior Jiang, actually I don’t have morning classes today. I woke up early just to walk with you,” Ji Qingchan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “I have something else to do a part-time job.”
Ugh! Just get lost already! So many excuses!
Trying to walk me to class, pfft!
How would I know which class “Ji Qingchan” is in?
“Ji Qingchan” doesn’t even exist!!
What seemed like a polite rejection to the girl was interpreted by Jiang Chi as maidenly reserve.
And so, right at the crowded school gate, our “top student,” “school heartthrob,” and “aloof male god” decided to take initiative!
Ignoring the numerous curious and amused stares from the crowd, he slightly spread his arms and gently pulled Ji Qingchan into an embrace.
A faint masculine scent subtly permeated her senses.
For that instant, Ji Qingchan felt like she was enveloped in warm arms, while exclamations and sighs rose from the surrounding crowd.
Her heartbeat accelerated abruptly, ears burning red.
Ji Yuenian thought she should push him away, yet found herself inexplicably weak and powerless.
“This is a love hug from your boyfriend,” Jiang Chi awkwardly followed his mother’s dating advice, breathing lightly by the girl’s ear before whispering, “Ji Qingchan, I like you.”
With that, he released her, a faint smile hidden beneath his mask.
The boy waved goodbye, his figure gradually disappearing around the corner until completely out of sight.
Only after Jiang Chi had truly left did Ji Qingchan gently cover her face with both hands.
The belated shyness surged like a tidal wave, sweeping unstoppably across her delicate face in an instant, turning her fair complexion a bright crimson.
Even her petite earlobes flushed red in the blink of an eye.
“Click!”
Suddenly, the crisp sound of a camera shutter shattered the quiet.
Her head snapped up, her gaze locking directly with a girl holding a phone-none other than Lu Liuli from the photography club, whom Ji Yuenian had briefly met before.
Ji Qingchan was instantly flustered and annoyed.
“What are you staring at? Haven’t you seen people hugging before?!”
“No photos! If I see any pictures on the school forum, you’re dead meat!”
“Ahhh!! Don’t take pictures of my face!!”
“Don’t be shy, junior! Breaking news! The aloof campus heartthrob has been conquered-how’s that for a headline? You’ll be famous, and I’ll have this week’s top story!”
Lu Liuli waved her camera excitedly.
“Since the founding of Wanqing School, you’re the first brave soul to bag both the ‘top scholar’ and the campus heartthrob. Mind leaving your name? The student council will carve you into school history, inspiring countless juniors for generations!!”
Ji.Qingchan Yuenian: “…”
Damn it! My plan to rise to fame!!!
* * * * * *
Wanqing City, Airport.
Ji Yuenian hadn’t lied he did have something to do that morning, though it wasn’t a part-time job. Instead…
“Dad! Big bro! Over here!!”
Ji Yuenian had barely managed to escape the crowd of onlookers, changed his clothes, and rushed to the airport by taxi.
The moment he arrived, he spotted two familiar figures stepping out of the terminal and immediately began waving excitedly.
They had gone on a road trip, but after getting too carried away drinking with some finance bigshot, his father had inexplicably gifted the car to the man as a “token of gratitude,” forcing them to return by plane.
“Little bro.”
Seeing Ji Yuenian waving, Ji Haotong strode over with a smile and punched him playfully in the chest-a gesture symbolizing their deep brotherly bond.
Though this time, the impact felt oddly… soft.
Ji Yuenian returned the punch.
“One month apart, and your hair’s grown this long? Planning to switch careers as a literary youth?”
Ji Haotong teased, eyeing his brother’s now shoulder-length hair.
“Not at all.”
Ji Yuenian smoothed his hair, which now reached his ears.
He wasn’t sure why, but lately, his hair had been growing at an alarming rate.
Even after frequent trims, it would grow back within days.
Fortunately, Su Tian and his lackeys hadn’t called it “girly,” so he didn’t pay it much mind—just visited the barber more often.
“Just a literary youth? I’m the school’s undisputed top delinquent. I could take on a whole group single-handedly.”
Rolling up his sleeves, he flexed his now less-defined biceps for emphasis.
Ahem. Ji Hong cleared his throat lightly, casting a glance to remind Ji Yuenian they were in public.
Ji Yuenian immediately put his hand down and changed his tone, “Of course, I’ve been studying hard at school so I can contribute to our group after graduation.”
“Let’s go home first, let’s go home. After a month away, I’m dying to eat Mom’s cooking,” Ji Haotong quickly interjected.
He knew all too well how much his father despised hoodlums and riffraff.
As for the specific reason, he had once heard his mother mention that back when they were still in high school, his father had been cornered by her in an alley and “greeted” rather intimately.
At the time, Ji Haotong hadn’t believed it and had laughed it off.
But now, knowing that his mother had once been a psychiatric patient, he couldn’t help but believe it.
“Can’t go home,” Ji Yuenian shrugged.
“Mom went to Auntie Chen’s place a few days ago. Said something about drafting some strategy plan -she won’t be home for the next few days.”
“Then to the company,” Ji Hong spoke up then.
Just four simple words, yet they carried the weight of a final decision.